Chapter 9 Reuniting with Old Friends

While Ash and his group are heading to the restaurant, Dawn, Serena, and Lillie are already there as they are now talking about their goals, Pokemon and fashion. Dawn says, "It is nice to hear a lot of different Pokemon in Alola, I would like to go there one day to see them all."

"I am sure that you will like it, you see, my goal is to be a researcher, I want to pass on the knowledge to others." Lillie says.

"Good for you, Lillie." Serena says. "Just don't give up and I am sure that you can achieve it."

"You sounded like one of my classmates back in the Alola Region." Lillie chuckles.

Just then, they hear a commotion as some people yell, "It's the Prince!" "No way! He is here in Wedgehurst!"

Then the group turn around and see the group blocking the gate, Ash sighs, "If you excuse me, can we have something to eat? We are kinda starving if you are in our way."

Then the crowd nod as they leave a path for Ash and his friends to sit at the table. Gloria says, "Well, you sure are a celebrity."

"Yeah." Ash groans. "But right now let's eat, so what do you want to eat, it is on me."

"Wait, are you serious?" Alice gasps.

"Sure, after all, you are my friends." Ash smiles.

"Thank you, brother, you're very nice." Trenor says, and both Alice and Gloria hug Ash for the thanks as well.

Rotom says, "The Ash has become very thoughtful? The world is going upside down, what is going on here?"

Pikachu says, "Calm down, Rotom." Then he explains the betrayal to him, and he is surprised and furious. "I can't believe they would do that..."

Ash says, "Don't worry, Rotom. Now that I am a Prince, I am trying to forget about the past."

As the three are chatting, Dawn, Serena, and Lillie notice the prince and then Dawn says, "Hey, that guy looks like Ash..."

"But he won't be in this place, right?" Serena says.

"No...it certainly is Ash." Lillie says, then after a silence, Serena says, "Wait, you guys know Ash?"

Lillie says, "Yeah, how did you guys know him..."

Dawn says, "I did travel with him in Sinnoh..."

"And I travel with him in Kalos." Serena says.

"I didn't travel with him, but he is my classmate in the Alola Trainer School..." This causes the three girls to get surprised. "So it seems like we are really similar." Serena says.

"Yeah." Lillie says. "Should we go greet him?"

"Well, I am curious about who are the other four people that are sitting with him." Dawn says, and by seeing how the two girls are hugging Ash, she feels jealous towards them.

Serena says, "I know one is Alice, since we met back in Kalos and her mother is Valerie, the famous fashion designer. But I don't know the other three."

At the same time, Ash, Mark, Trenor, Gloria, and Alice's meals come and then they are eating. Pikachu tries to gobble on his food, but Ash says, "Pikachu, remember your manners."

Pikachu flinches at Ash's tone and he nods, then he starts to gobble down quietly. Mark says, "Wow, you are so strict to Pikachu."

"I am sorry." Ash says. "We are in a public place, as a prince, we need to behave and make sure we have a good image."

Alice says, "I see. Are you afraid that if you become just like before, the news would spread out?"

"Yes." Ash sighs. "And then those traitors would know where I am and then try to find me and hurt me once again. I don't want that to happen."

As they continue to eat, Dawn, Serena, and Lillie are looking at them with unease. Then Ash eating his food slow and gently made them horror. Dawn says, "I have never seen Ash eating so politely like this..."

"Same here, he usually gobble the food like his stomach is an endless pit." Serena says.

Lillie says, "Not to mention that he also tells Pikachu to eat politely...he really behaves just like a prince."

At the same time, Alice notices the three girls and then she asks, "Ash, I somehow see Serena with two other girls that I didn't know over there."

"What?" Ash flinches as he stops eating, then he notices the girls as they are now looking at one another. Ash can't believe that the three girls that he has a huge friendship with while traveling around the regions are there. Ash mutters, "Dawn...Serena...Lillie..."

"Ash!" Dawn, Serena and Lillie exclaim as they hug Ash, much to Mark and Trenor's confusion and Alice and Gloria's jealousy. Ash says, "I am sorry, but you are crushing me, can you please let go?"

"Sorry." Serena says as they break the hug. Dawn says, "I can't believe you are also in the Galar Region."

"Yeah. Ash says with a frown, which is noticed by the girls. "Since my family is the royal family of this region. So I am back here as a prince."

"I see." Lillie says as she doesn't know why Ash is sad, but she decides to ignore that now. "No wonder you are so famous."

Serena says, "Alice, it is nice to see you again."

"Same here, Serena. It sure has been a while when I last see you." Alice says.

"Alice, Gloria, Mark, Trenor, this is Dawn and Lillie, they are my travel companions in Sinnoh and Alola respectively." Ash says, "First, I want you to meet by brothers, Mark and Trenor."

"I don't know you have two brothers, Ash..." Serena says with surprise.

"Well, we were adopted recently and we've been staying at Galar." Mark says. "But it's nice to meet you."

Ash says, "And these two are our travel companions, Alice and Gloria."

"Gloria, right? It is an honor to meet you." Dawn says.

"Same." Gloria says as they shake hands.

Pikachu and Rotom stop their eating and then they also greet the girls. "Pikachu, it is nice to see you as well." Dawn says as Piplup greets him.

"You too, Rotom. I see you possessed a Cellphone?" Lillie says.

"Yep. Alola, Lillie." Rotom says.

"Since you all are here, why don't we have a seat so we can talk with one another?" Ash asks as they nod.

"Sure. We'd like to." Dawn says.

After that, the girls are now talking happily, but Ash is just eating his food silently with Mark, Trenor, Pikachu, and Rotom showing concern towards him.

"Brother, are you feeling alright?" Mark asks.

"I am fine, Mark." Ash says. "It is just...though I am happy to see them again, but now I am starting to remember the past again..." He holds his face with his palm and then he forces a tear to come out of his eye.

Just then, the girls notice Ash and then they are surprised to see Ash so sad. Dawn asks, "Ash, what's wrong?"

Alice knows what he is thinking and she goes to comfort him. She quickly sits beside him and pulls him into a hug. "It's okay, Ash. I am sorry that you have to remember that again..."

As Ash cries into Alice's arms, the three girls are surprised and jealous, Serena asks, "What did we do?"

Gloria puts the dots together and then she realizes, "Oh, you see, before he comes back to Galar, there is something that happened back in Kanto."

Then Mark, Trenor, and Gloria tell them about the betrayal and the stuff. The three girls can't believe their ears and Dawn says, "You're telling me that Brock and May said that he is a weakling and the Alola Champion is a fluke?"

Serena says, "Not only them, but Clemont and Bonnie as well?"

"Misty too? How could they do that?" Lillie says as the three girls are in rage.

Trenor says, "I know how you feel. But ever since that happened, Brother starts to question himself about if he is really weak like they say. Sometimes he tries to forget about it. I guess this time it is because that seeing you guys again makes him remember the past of how happy you were traveling together..."

"I see..." Lillie frowns. Then they see Alice manages to soothe Ash down.

"Mark, are Ash and Alice close?" Lillie asks.

Mark says, "Well, they are childhood friends before she has to go with her mother to the Kalos Region. It is also said that they promise together to be Pokemon Masters."

Serena is surprised as she is also a childhood friend of Ash, but she doesn't remember that Alice was with them from the beginning. She asks, "Childhood friend? Since when?"

"From born. And they played with each other for seven years." Gloria says, causing the three girls to be jealous. "That is even longer than the time I met Ash..." Serena mutters.

After Ash calms down, he says, "I am sorry, Dawn, Serena, Lillie. I just can't help it."

"We understand, it is not your fault. Next time if I see them, I am going to make them regret for saying that to you." Serena says.

"Same here." Dawn says.

Ash smiles as they support him, he says, "Thank you, it means a lot." Then he gives them a group hug, causing them to blush a little.

As they are continuing eating, Serena asks, "So Ash, since when did you eat this politely?"

"Oh, that is because I learned a lot of manners ever since I was told as the prince and I have to be a model for the group." Ash says.

Mark says, "It is not just him, Trenor and I are also asked to do that as well, considering that we are also the princes."

"Wow." The girls can only nod. Ash turns to Lillie and asks, "By the way, Lillie. I thought that you are looking for your father, how is your search?"

"Well, my brother and mother decide to let me go with you ever since we know you are in this region." Lillie says.

"I see." Ash smiles. "And I heard that you two are now Top Coordinators, congratulations."

Serena and Dawn blush, Serena says, "Thank you. And I heard that you have become a Champion of Alola as well."

"Yeah..." Ash frowns and then Serena notices it, she says, "And we know you won it fair and square, it is not a fluke."

The others nod and then Ash says, "Thank you."

"After the lunch is done, Ash says, "So Dawn, Serena, and Lillie, where are you going next?"

Dawn says, "Is it possible that we can travel with you?"

Alice says, "Indeed Ash, maybe we should travel together."

Ash smiles, "Sure. It will be like old times, but with a different style."

After finishing their meals, they head outside as they are showing their Pokemon. Ash has already switched up his Pokemon, as he sends out Greninja, Infernape, Lycanroc, Grookey, and Rookidee. The others also send out their Pokemon as well.

Greninja sees Serena and he greets him, Serena says, "It is nice to see you too, Greninja."

Infernape also does the same to Dawn, and Lycanroc nuzzles at Lillie's leg. The two of them are also happy to see them as well.

Dawn then sends out her Pokemon, there are Piplup, Mamoswine, and Togekiss. Ash asks, "Where are Buneary, Pachirisu, and Quilava?"

"Oh, they are at home right now, since my Mom wants to teach them about the contest stuff." Dawn says.

"I see." Ash says.

Serena sends out Braixen, Pancham and Sylveon. The three greet Ash and Pikachu, as well as Greninja. Ash asks, "You didn't capture any new Pokemon in Hoenn?"

"Well, I just focused on these three..." Serena says. "Without you by my side, I don't feel like having another Pokemon in my team."

And then Lillie sends out Grubbin, Snowy, and Magearna. Snowy sees Ash and greets him. Serena says, "Wait, you have a Magearna?"

Lillie says, "Yeah, it was left to me by my dad."

Gloria says, "Wow, you all have a lot of great Pokemon."

"Yeah." Alice says, "But we can capture some more in Route 2."

"Sure, let's go." Dawn says as the group of eight leaves the town.

Here is a new chapter, and this time Dawn, Serena and Lillie meet Ash and they learn the truth. I hope you like it and the next chapter will be Pokemon Hunting.

Ash's Pokemon: Bulbasaur, Charizard, Squirtle, Butterfree, Pidgeot, Pikachu, Primeape, Muk, Gengar, Kingler, Tauros (30), Lapras (2), Snorlax, Bayleef, Quilava, Totodile, Noctowl (S), Heracross, Donphan, Larvitar, Tyranitar, Sceptile, Swellow, Torkoal, Corphish, Glalie, Torterra, Infernape, Staraptor, Buizel, Gible, Gliscor, Snivy, Pignite, Oshawott, Unfezant, Boldore, Palpitoad, Leavanny, Krookodile, Scraggy, Greninja, Talonflame, Hawlucha, Goodra, Noivern, Rowlet, Incineroar, Lycanroc (Dusk), Naganadel, Melmetal, Grookey, Rookidee

Mark's Pokemon: Chimchar, Nickit

Trenor's Pokemon: Turtwig, Skwovet

Gloria's Pokemon: Scorbunny, Blipbug

Alice's Pokemon: Butterfree (Pink), Sobble, Wooloo (30)

Dawn's Pokemon: Quilava, Piplup, Pachirisu, Buneary, Togekiss, Mamoswine

Serena's Pokemon: Braixen, Pancham, Sylveon

Lillie's Pokemon: Vulpix (Alolan), Grubbin, Magearna